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# rainpl

RF signal attenuation due to rainfall

## Syntax

``L = rainpl(range,freq,rainrate)``
``L = rainpl(range,freq,rainrate,elev)``
``L = rainpl(range,freq,rainrate,elev,tau)``

## Description

example

````L = rainpl(range,freq,rainrate)` returns the signal attenuation, `L`, due to rainfall. In this syntax, attenuation is a function of signal path length, `range`, signal frequency, `freq`, and rain rate, `rainrate`. The path elevation angle and polarization tilt angles are assumed to zero.The `rainpl` function applies the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) rainfall attenuation model to calculate path loss of signals propagating in a region of rainfall [1]. The function applies when the signal path is contained entirely in a uniform rainfall environment. Rain rate does not vary along the signal path. The attenuation model applies only for frequencies at 1–1000 GHz.```

example

````L = rainpl(range,freq,rainrate,elev)` specifies the elevation angle, `elev`, of the propagation path.```

example

````L = rainpl(range,freq,rainrate,elev,tau)` specifies the polarization tilt angle, `tau`, of the signal.```

## Examples

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Compute the signal attenuation due to rainfall for a 20 GHz signal over a distance of 10 km in light and heavy rain.

Propagate the signal in a light rainfall of 1 mm/hr.

```rr = 1.0; L = rainpl(10000,20.0e9,rr)```
```L = 0.7104 ```
`L = 0.7104`
```L = 0.7104 ```

Propagate the signal in a heavy rainfall of 10 mm/hr.

```rr = 10.0; L = rainpl(10000,20.0e9,rr)```
```L = 7.8413 ```
`L = 7.8413`
```L = 7.8413 ```

Plot the signal attenuation due to moderate rainfall for signals in the frequency range from 1 to 1000 GHz. The path distance is 10 km.

Set the rain rate value for moderate rainfall to 3 mm/hr.

```rr = 3.0; freq = [1:1000]*1e9; L = rainpl(10000,freq,rr); loglog(freq/1e9,L) grid xlabel('Frequency (GHz)') ylabel('Attenuation (dB)')```

Compute the signal attenuation due to heavy rain as a function of elevation angle. Elevation angles vary from 0 to 90 degrees. Assume a path distance of 100 km and a signal frequency of 100 GHz.

Set the rain rate to 10 mm/hr.

`rr = 10.0;`

Set the elevation angles, frequency, range.

```elev = [0:1:90]; freq = 100.0e9; rng = 100000.0*ones(size(elev));```

Compute and plot the loss.

```L = rainpl(rng,freq,rr,elev); plot(elev,L) grid xlabel('Path Elevation (degrees)') ylabel('Attenuation (dB)')```

Compute the signal attenuation due to heavy rainfall as a function of the polarization tilt angle. Assume a path distance of 100 km, a signal frequency of 100 GHz signal, and a path elevation angle of 0 degrees. Set the rainfall rate to 10 mm/hour. Plot the signal attenuation versus polarization tilt angle.

Set the polarization tilt angle to vary from -90 to 90 degrees.

`tau = -90:90;`

Set the elevation angle, frequency, path distance, and rain rate.

```elev = 0; freq = 100.0e9; rng = 100e3*ones(size(tau)); rr = 10.0;```

Compute and plot the attenuation.

```L = rainpl(rng,freq,rr,elev,tau); plot(tau,L) grid xlabel('Tilt Angle (degrees)') ylabel('Attenuation (dB)')```

## Input Arguments

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Signal path length, specified as a nonnegative real-valued scalar, or as a M-by-1 or 1-by-M vector. Units are in meters.

Example: `[13000.0,14000.0]`

Signal frequency, specified as a positive real-valued scalar, or as a nonnegative N-by-1 or 1-by-N vector. Frequencies must lie in the range 1–1000 GHz.

Example: `[1400.0e6,2.0e9`]

Rain rate, specified as a nonnegative real-valued scalar. Units are in mm/hr.

Example: `1.5`

Signal path elevation angle, specified as a real-valued scalar, or as an M-by-1 or 1-by- M vector. Units are in degrees between –90° and 90°. If `elev` is a scalar, all propagation paths have the same elevation angle. If `elev` is a vector, its length must match the dimension of `range` and each element in `elev` corresponds to a propagation range in `range`.

Example: `[0,45]`

Tilt angle of the signal polarization ellipse, specified as a real-valued scalar, or as an M-by-1 or 1-by- M vector. Units are in degrees between –90° and 90°. If `tau` is a scalar, all signals have the same tilt angle. If `tau` is a vector, its length must match the dimension of `range`. In that case, each element in `tau` corresponds to a propagation path in `range`.

The tilt angle is defined as the angle between the semimajor axis of the polarization ellipse and the x-axis. Because the ellipse is symmetrical, a tilt angle of 100° corresponds to the same polarization state as a tilt angle of -80°. Thus, the tilt angle need only be specified between ±90°.

Example: `[45,30]`

## Output Arguments

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Signal attenuation, returned as a real-valued M-by-N matrix. Each matrix row represents a different path where M is the number of paths. Each column represents a different frequency where N is the number of frequencies. Units are in dB.

## More About

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### Rainfall Attenuation Model

This model calculates the attenuation of signals that propagate through regions of rainfall.

Electromagnetic signals are attenuate when propagating through a region of rainfall. Rainfall attenuation is computed according to the ITU rainfall model Recommendation ITU-R P.838-3: Specific attenuation model for rain for use in prediction methods. The model computes the specific attenuation (attenuation per kilometer) of a signal as a function of rainfall rate, signal frequency, polarization, and path elevation angle. To compute the attenuation, this model uses

`${\gamma }_{r}=k{r}^{\alpha },$`

where r is the rain rate in mm/hr. The parameter k and exponent α depend on the frequency, the polarization state, and the elevation angle of the signal path. The specific attenuation model is valid for frequencies from 1–1000 GHz.

To compute the total attenuation for narrowband signals along a path, the function multiplies the specific attenuation by a propagation distance, R. Then, total attenuation is Lr = Rγr. Instead of using geometric range as the propagation distance, the toolbox uses a modified range. The modified range is the geometric range multiplied by a range factor

`$\frac{1}{1+\frac{R}{{R}_{0}}}$`

where

`${R}_{0}=35{e}^{-0.015r}$`

is the effective path length in kilometers (see Seybold, J. Introduction to RF Propagation.) When there is no rain, the effective path length is 35 km. When the rain rate is, for example, 10 mm/hr, the effective path length is 30.1 km. At short range, the propagation distance is approximately the geometric range. For longer ranges, the propagation distance asymptotically approaches the effective path length.

You can apply the attenuation model to wideband signals. First, divide the wideband signal into frequency subbands and apply attenuation to each subband. Then, sum all attenuated subband signals into the total attenuated signal.

## References

[1] Radiocommunication Sector of International Telecommunication Union. Recommendation ITU-R P.838-3: Specific attenuation model for rain for use in prediction methods. 2005.

[2] Seybold, J. Introduction to RF Propagation. New York: Wiley & Sons, 2005.

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